TREES, WATER & PEOPLE CO-FOUNDER WINS SARGENT SHRIVER AWARD

Stuart Conway helps build a Justa cook stove in Guatemala

Stuart Conway, Co-founder of Colorado-based nonprofit Trees, Water & People (TWP), has been honored with the 2010 Sargent Shriver Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service. The prestigious award is presented by the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA), the nation’s leading nonprofit organization supporting Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV) and the Peace Corps community. Conway is a proud RPCV who served in Guatemala for three years as an Extension Agent and Trainer for the Conservation of Natural Resources Program.

“We are excited to honor Stuart Conway for his work cofounding a nonprofit that helps communities to protect, conserve, and manage natural resources and for his untiring conservation efforts on behalf of communities worldwide,” said Kevin Quigley, president of the National Peace Corps Association. “His commitment is in the finest tradition of Peace Corps Volunteers since the days of Sargent Shriver.”

As Co-founder and International Director of Trees, Water, & People, Stuart has managed the planting of 3.5 million trees throughout Central America and Haiti since 1998. He also helped to develop the fuel-efficient Justa cook stove, which reduces wood usage for fuel to conserve trees and reduce carbon emissions. Conway has expanded his beneficial stove program throughout Central America and Haiti, coordinating the building of 40,000 fuel-efficient stoves and directly improving the lives of more than 200,000 people.

The Shriver Award is given by NPCA each year to an RPCV who continues to make a sustained and distinguished contribution to humanitarian causes at home or abroad, or is an innovative social entrepreneur whose actions will bring about significant long-term change. The award is named after the tremendous contributions of the first Peace Corps Director, Sargent Shriver, in the founding and development of the Peace Corps.

“The innovative efforts of Stuart Conway help further the mission of the Peace Corps and help to bring attention to the enormous contributions Volunteers make during and after service at home and abroad,” adds Quigley. “We are pleased to recognize his efforts with this award.” Sargent Shriver’s son, Tim Shriver, will present the award to Stuart Conway on June 25, 2010 in Washington, D.C.